Ensete lasiocarpum, commonly known as Chinese dwarf banana, golden lotus banana or Chinese yellow banana, is a plant of the Ensete genus. It is thus a close relative of bananas, and also a member of the Musaceae family. The plant is native to the Yunnan province in China, where it grows high in the mountains up to an altitude of 2500 m. It is known for its yellow erect flower (see image), generally appearing during the second year of cultivation, that can last a few months. Just before opening, the flower resembles a lotus - from which the plant gets one of its names.